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Müller and Eng win on the Nürgburgring

The 23-year-old Sven Müller (D/Lechner Racing Middle East) from the tourist village of Bingen on the Rhine River prevailed over polesitter Philipp Eng (Team Deutsche Post by Project 1) and Michael Ammermüller (D/The Heart of Racing by Lechner) on the Nürburgring on Sunday, relegating them to the other podium steps. “This marks my fifth time on the podium in the Carrera Cup this year, twice as the winner. I wasn’t able to contest four races because of a clash of commitments. The most important thing for me is that I have the feeling that I’m improving from race to race,” said an obviously pleased Müller.

Right at the start, Müller got the jump on Eng at the wheel of his 460 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Even at the restart after a safety car phase in the first lap, Müller kept his cool and gave Eng no chance to get by. The Lechner pilot held his closest pursuers at bay to the flag. Eng, who had clinched the title before the end of the season at Oschersleben, had to settle for second place after scoring three wins in a row. “Unfortunately I fluffed my start and couldn’t overtake Sven because he got off the line perfectly. With eight wins under my belt this season I have to be content with second place this time, although I noticed that it wasn’t easy for me,” said Eng. Securing two third places, Ammermüller summed up his weekend: “My races were okay. At the top we all drove about the same speed and that’s why I couldn’t achieve more today.”

In the overall classification Eng holds an unassailable lead

Scoring fourth place, Christian Engelhart (D/TECE MRS-Racing) earned important points towards the vice-championship title. Nicki Thiim (DK/Küs Team75 Bernhard) finished in fifth ahead of Christopher Zöchling (A/Konrad Motorsport). Spaniard Alex Riberas (E/The Heart of Racing by Lechner) clinched seventh ahead of Swiss Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Lechner Racing Middle East). Porsche Junior Matteo Cairoli (Team Deutsche Post by Project 1) took the flag in ninth. “I had trouble with the setup and experienced oversteer. The track conditions were different from yesterday: It was warmer and windier and the car setup wasn’t quite right. But I wasn’t perfect either and that’s why I finished on ninth,” explains the 19-year-old Italian. Robert Renauer (D/Herberth Motorsport) rounded off the top ten.

In the overall classification after the Nürburgring race weekend, Eng holds an unassailable lead with 268 points. At the two remaining races, a total of 40 points are still up for grabs with five aspirants still in the bid for the vice-championship title: Currently Engelhart sits second with 171 points ahead of Schmidt with 159 points. Only one point separates Ammermüller (158) from Schmidt. Holding 147 points, Riberas ranks fifth overall. With 145 points, Thiim also has theoretical chances to claim the runner-up title.

A look back at race 14

Austria’s Philipp Eng (Team Deutsche Post by Project 1) scored victory at Saturday’s race. The 25-year-old was in top form for both the qualifying and the race at the wheel of his 460 hp 911 GT3 Cup and beat Porsche Junior Sven Müller (D/Lechner Racing Middle East) and Michael Ammermüller (D/The Heart of Racing by Lechner) to the flag. After clinching the championship title early at Oschersleben, Eng is maintaining his winning form. “Despite winning the overall classification recently, I’m still a race driver and I want to win no matter what. So I’m thrilled with my eighth victory,” said Eng.

Twenty-two pilots contested round 14 of 17 on the 3.629-kilometre Nürburgring race track. Eng took up the race from pole position and got off the line cleanly to settle in at the front. Behind him were Porsche Junior Müller and his Lechner teammate Ammermüller. Alex Riberas (E/The Heart of Racing by Lechner) was unable to defend his fourth grid spot and had to let Christian Engelhart (D/TECE MRS-Racing) pass. Nevertheless, Riberas had reason to celebrate after the race: With a time of 1:30.600 minutes, he set a new lap record in the Porsche Carrera Cup on the Nürburgring.

Müller followed Eng over the line

Over the 17 laps, Eng and Müller managed to pull clear of the rest of the field. “I put Philipp under pressure but just couldn’t get past. I’m starting from the first grid row for tomorrow’s race as well so I’ll try again,” declared Müller, who followed Eng over the line just four-tenths of a second down.

Trailing the top five in sixth place was Jeffrey Schmidt (CH/Lechner Racing Middle East). Rank seven went to Nicki Thiim (DK/Küs Team75 Bernhard) ahead of Christopher Zöchling (A/Konrad Motorsport). Porsche Junior Matteo Cairoli (Team Deutsche Post by Project 1) saw the flag as ninth. “Unfortunately it didn’t go so well today but ultimately every point counts. I plan to really attack in the next race,” said the 19-year-old Italian.

Porsche Junior Connor de Phillippi (USA/Land Motorsport) rounded off the top ten: “At the start I got stuck in traffic and couldn’t get up to speed, but towards the end I managed to overtake Chris van der Drift. Hopefully I can finish further up the field in Sunday’s race.” The New Zealander van der Drift (Küs Team75 Bernhard) usually contests the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in which he currently leads the overall standings. This weekend he stands in for the injured Pepe Massot and finished on eleventh. The most impressive performance of the day went to Ben Barker (GB/Land-Motorsport). He headed into the race from 22nd after a problematic qualifying to ultimately cross the finish line in twelfth place.

The fight for second overall is still open

In the overall rankings, Eng is now far out of reach at the head of the field with 250 points and three races left on the calendar. The fight for second overall is still open, with Engelhart on 157 points and Schmidt holding 151. Ammermüller sits in fourth with 142 points ahead of Riberas (138). Rolf Ineichen (CH/Konrad Motorsport) ranks first in the classification for the best rookie driver. And the team classification is also wide open, with the Deutsche Post by Project 1 squad currently holding the lead. As far as Philipp Eng is concerned, it can stay like this. “My goal is to win all remaining races and to earn the team the title with Matteo.”

The final race weekend of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland is contested from 16 to 18 October at Hockenheim.